We’ve all faced the dilemma on what to do with inherited jewelry that doesn’t match our lifestyle or personal taste. While you want to honor your loved ones and keep their memories alive, it’s a simple fact that jewelry styles and design change over the years. Perhaps you love the vintage feel that your great grandmother’s watch brings to your look — or maybe you’d rather leave it in the jewelry box. Either way, there’s no need to feel guilty. In fact, there are many ways to make that piece your own, extend its good life in your family, or give it a fresh start. Here are just a few suggestions on how to honor your loved ones even if you don’t wear the jewelry they’ve passed down: Pass it down to another family member. Perhaps someone else in your family is more suited to wear your inherited jewelry. They’ll be honored with the gift, you’ll have the piece taken off your hands, and your loved one will still have their jewelry in the family — this situation could be a win-win-win! Create something else out of it. The best thing about precious metals is that they can be worked and re-worked into just about anything. Take the gold or silver in your inherited jewelry, melt it down and have something else made that will better suit your personal style. The same goes for diamond jewelry. Diamonds go great with everything, so turn it into something you’ll wear again and again. Sell your inherited jewelry and use the money to honor your loved one. You can donate the funds from their jewelry to a charity they were passionate about, or use the money to go back to school or even on your dream vacation. After all, it’s likely that your loved one would have enjoyed seeing you happy! We know it can be difficult to let go of heirloom jewelry. However, don’t forget: that jewelry can’t do any good while it is gathering dust in the attic. Whether you’d like to recreate your inherited pieces into something you’ll love, or you’d like to sell them to DO something you’ll love, we can help you with taking the next steps at Charleston Gold & Diamond Exchange. We purchase old jewelry and can create custom pieces from your heirlooms.
Category Archives: Jewelry
Jun
Are you considering wearing men’s jewelry but not sure where to start on your jewelry collection? With the popularity of social media and online shopping, it seems everyone’s style is on display more so than ever before. This means leveling up your fashion game, whether you’re a man or a woman. Men’s jewelry is seeing a resurgence in street style. In fact, according to The New York Times, global sales of men’s luxury fine jewelry reached $5.3 billion in 2017, up from $4.3 billion in 2012 (an increase of 22%). It’s a way to add some flair to the everyday or revamp your style completely. With Father’s Day just around the corner, now is your opportunity to start your man’s jewelry collection and revamp your style. Guys… it’s time to accessorize. Adding jewelry to your everyday style can seem intimidating if you’ve never rocked bling before. That’s why Charleston Gold & Diamond Exchange has created the Men’s Jewelry Guide to help you incorporate jewelry into your personal style — and look good doing it! Whether you’re 18 or 90, we want to make it as easy and enjoyable to add jewelry to your everyday look. Watches A good watch is the perfect first stop on your journey to your new men’s jewelry collection. Now, you may be asking: “why would I wear an analog watch when I have a smartphone?” Did you know that wearing a wrist watch has been proven to make you appear more competent and trustworthy? Or that just wearing a wrist watch can improve your chances of getting hired or promoted? So, the real question is: “why wouldn’t you wear a wrist watch?” Your watch acts as an anchor for your style and sets the tone for the rest of your look. From our experience, you can never go wrong with a pre-owned Rolex. It’s easier on the budget and you can wear it for years to come. However, that’s certainly not your only option. Take the time to check out our broad collection of wrist watches at Charleston Gold & Diamond Exchange and decide which one conveys your personality best. Cufflinks You’ve picked out the perfect watch, but still want to experiment with some bling. If you want to invest in something to express your style discreetly, fashionable cufflinks are the way to go. They are still basic necessities, and you can go as muted or as flashy as your style permits. While not necessary, it looks sleek if you match metals with your watch and your cufflinks. Want to get fancy with some designer cuffs? We’ve got you covered there! Or, are you looking for something simple and sleek? We’ve got options for you, too. Rings Long gone are the days where men only wear wedding rings – fashion rings are back in full force to add some manly panache to your everyday. Start out with just one ring if you already wear a wedding ring. If you’re a bachelor, go for one on each hand. Rings, like watches, add some interest to your everyday look straight away — especially since your hands are one of the first things new acquaintances will see. Necklaces This one might be a new one for you, but trust us; even just a simple chain can pull together your look like nothing else. To start, we recommend a necklace length of about 56-60 cm so it hits directly on your sternum. Whether you want to rock an edgy pendant or a sleek chain, we suggest matching your metals to the rest of your bling. Now that you’ve read our guide, take this Father’s Day as an opportunity to cultivate your style and go shopping at Charleston Gold & Diamond Exchange — treat yourself!
Mar
The 2019 Academy Awards hosted hundreds of stars this year, and Lady Gaga was among the most anticipated to walk the red carpet — but not for a meat dress or sky-high heels. While she typically rocks daring looks, Lady Gaga was the epitome old Hollywood glamour in an Alexander McQueen gown, leather opera gloves, and the legendary Tiffany Yellow Diamond around her neck. What’s So Special About The Tiffany Yellow Diamond? The Tiffany Yellow Diamond is one of the largest Fancy Yellow diamonds in the world and has only been worn a handful of times. Not only is this the first time it has seen the flash of paparazzi cameras at an award show, it is also the first time it has been worn by a starlet since 1961. Last worn by Audrey Hepburn in promotional photos for Breakfast at Tiffany’s, Tiffany’s released this diamond from their vault specifically for Lady Gaga. She introduced this diamond to the glitz and glamour of modern Hollywood along with Tiffany & Co. white and yellow diamond earrings as accessories. The stone weighs over 128 carats and was discovered by Charles Lewis Tiffany, founder of Tiffany & Co., in South Africa 141 years ago. “The rarity, beauty and sheer magnetism of the Tiffany Diamond are unprecedented,” said Tiffany & Co. chief gemologist Melvyn Kirtley. The legendary diamond is a brilliant cushion cut with 82 facets and is said to be priceless. What Does Dallas Gold & Silver Have to Offer? While we don’t quite have a diamond of this size at Dallas Gold & Silver Exchange, we have plenty of diamonds that probably fit within your budget! Come in and see our GIA-certified diamonds whether you are looking to make a splash or for the perfect stone for an engagement ring. We have everything from cushion cuts like the famous Tiffany diamond mentioned, to pear and heart-shaped diamonds.
Mar
So, you’ve decided to start looking for a diamond engagement ring. Good news — you’re in excellent hands! We’ll help you find your dream engagement ring at Charleston Gold & Diamond Exchange for the very best price. The first step in creating the perfect engagement ring is choosing the right diamond, starting with its shape. Choosing the diamond shape for your engagement ring is deeply personal, so take your time in making the right decision. To help you along your path to the perfect engagement ring, check out the Diamond Shape Guide from the experts at Charleston Gold & Diamond Exchange: Diamond Shape 101 Even if you’re just beginning your journey to your dream diamond, chances are the first thing that comes to mind is its shape. A diamonds shape (not to be confused with cut), refers to the general silhouette of the stone, according to the Gemological Institute of America (GIA). Each diamond shape has their own defining attributes that match different styles and personalities. Round Round diamonds reign supreme as the most popular engagement ring choice. They are a classic option that look gorgeous in a wide variety of settings. It makes them the perfect diamonds to pass down as a family heirloom because they stand the test of time and trends. This shape is perfect for the woman with traditional style and keeps their accessories simple and timeless. Princess As the second most popular diamond shape behind round, this diamond fits a wide variety of styles from contemporary to traditional. Like the round diamond, it fits perfectly many different settings. If you are on the hunt for a diamond that is easy on the budget, the princess cut is a great option since the process of cutting is simpler and keeps more of the rough diamond — and, of course, it shines just as brightly as other shapes! Emerald Emerald cut diamonds are a fabulous way to make a statement. They stand out among other cuts due to their mirror-like step facets and their elongated, rectangular shape. Emerald diamonds make wonderful solitaire options, three stone settings or settings with small accent diamonds. This diamond suits a wearer with sophisticated style and can also give an elongated effect to ring fingers. Asscher This royal shape is unique in that it is the first diamond shape to be patented — and it’s no surprise why The Asscher Diamond Company would want this cut all to themselves! This diamond shape is cut with step facets, similar to the emerald cut diamond. The “hall of mirrors” effect with the Asscher cut exudes old Hollywood glamour and royalty, so this is the perfect shape for the bride-to-be that dreams big and has a flair for vintage items Marquise This regal cut is making a comeback — and for good reason! The marquise diamond boasts a brilliant 58 facets and its slim figure can appear larger than its carat weight. Some are even opting to set it horizontally for a modern take on an antique-style shape. Setting it vertically can have a slimming effect, as well. This style is perfect for the recipient with a flair for vintage and elegant style. Oval This stone in particular is having a moment. Oval diamonds are a modern twist on the classic round diamond. Similar to the round diamond, they fit wonderfully in a variety of settings. The elongated shape of oval stones can also make a ring finger appear longer and leaner. This shape is a beautiful option for the bride-to-be with chic and modern style. Pear This unique style resembles a teardrop and, according to the GIA, “blends the best of the round and marquise diamond shapes.” A versatile shape, some romantics like to wear their pear-shaped diamond with the point facing their heart, while others find a slimming effect with the point facing the tip of their fingers. We find this cut gorgeous with a curved band shaped to hug the diamond — it makes a fabulous compliment to a stunning shape. Heart If your bride-to-be is a romantic with an affinity for pink, look no further than the heart-shaped diamond. Living up to its name, the heart diamond embodies the symbol of love and affection and therefore makes a gorgeous engagement or anniversary ring, or even as a special gift for Valentine’s Day. This diamond is cut similarly to the pear shape and features two rounded edges divided by one cleft. Here’s a little-known fact about heart shape diamonds: it is one of the most difficult cuts to create, making it all the more special!